JP-Cruise

We saw bears up close upon landing and standing on the floats (?? can't remember the name). It was probably one of the best tours I've done, kind of a spiritual experience flying over all that spectacular scenery. You'll love it!! :)

That’s awesome!! That’s definitely part of the reason to do these kinds of tours, for the spiritual experience :). Did you just stand on the float or get to walk a bit on shore?

Hello, this coming summer I’m booked with Michelle on the misty Fjords 2 hour tour. Very excited for this as I’ve read nothing but amazing reviews. I was just wondering if anyone who has done this tour, has seen any whales or other wildlife when landing?

Hello all,

I am so torn between these two excursions in Skagway. I love animals and wildlife and think this is a very unique way of seeing them. Also hoping I’ll be allowed to hold any of them. Think they’ll let me?

Or this white pass mountaineering tour. It’s a hike up the summit of feather peak mountain with amazing 360 degree views of the snow capped mountains. For me this sounds like a once in a life time experience

http://skagwayexcursion.com/skagway/white-pass-adventure/

Help me decide and give me some words of wisdom please lol :)

Are the ice caves at Mendenhall glacier likely to still be around in the beginning of September? If so, what is the best way to see them?

Hello, I went on a tour where we canoed to Mendenhall and went through the caves. It was absolutely breathtaking. One of the most phenomenal experiences of my life.

The tour vendor was liquid Alaska tours. The tour name is called Mendenhall Glacier ice adventure tour.

Or you can go with another vendor called above and beyond Alaska. They have the same tour, it is an hour longer I believe. So depending on your stay in Juneau... check them out. Liquid Alaska tours was incredible and the guides were very friendly and professional

I love the ferry ride to Haines, which is one of the most beautiful places on the planet. The bus ride up the highway was not very long as I remember, with some nice scenery. Really enjoyed the tour.

Awesome to hear. I wonder if you are allowed to hold some of the animals? Did they allow this when you went on the tour?

Hi, I was wondering anyone who has done this excursion with a cruise ship, how did you find the travel time to get there (ferry and bus rides) did you find it long? Enjoyable?

Has anyone done this white pass mountaineering Adventure when in Skagway? I’m strongly considering this. I only found one review on tripadvisor

http://skagwayexcursion.com/skagway/white-pass-adventure/

Didn't see any whales and nearly froze while on the open deck looking for them during month of May.

Gotchya, ya I’ve been researching and looking at reviews on trip advisor. It seems like whales aren’t in this area of Alaska

I was wondering if anyone who has taken the 45 minute ferry ride from Skagway to Haines has ever seen whales? I will be going on August 7th and was wondering the possibility of this

You’re more likely to see humpbacks near the entrance of Glacier Bay. The Pt Adolphus area is a known humpback feeding area. I’m up at least an hour before entering the bay in search of them with good success. Once while exiting the bay we were surrounded by humpbacks.

Thanks everyone for your info. Glaciers, that’s what I plan to do, be our early prior to entering the bay to see if I can spot any humpbacks. Last summer I was in icy strait point. I didn’t see too many whales when I was there, so hopefully I’ll get lucky this time. So you think being out one hour prior to entering the bay is a good idea? Or maybe 2 hours prior?

You would need to book a small cruise line like Un-Cruise to kayak in Glacier Bay. These lines cost $$$$ but are a once in a life time experience.

 

Glacier Bay is very restricted to large cruise ships. Only 2 are allowed per day. Park Rangers will board the ship and it is usually a stunning day. You will not leave the ship that day.

Okay thanks coral. Wow, only 2 ships per day.

Hello, this coming summer I’ll be on an Alaska cruise with Princess and going to glacier bay which I’m very excited about and looking forward too.

I was wondering if anyone can tell me if peincsss ships have small boats that take passengers closer to the glaciers?

Also did anyone see a lot of whales in glacier bay? Anybody see any breaching?

May I ask what TWT mean?

Thank you

 

 

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TWT is short for tundra wilderness tour. One of the tour options for Denali National Park

Thanks- my lips are sealed :lips-sealed:

Yes but this discussion is open to the whole world who is reading this thread. Oops, the secret is out lol

How far in advance were you advised you could cancel the Tundra Wilderness Tour and change to the longer, Katishna Experience? We are doing the 12 day land/sea package in August and wasn't aware you could make any changes to the tours. Thanks

Hi there.

So after I researched the Kantishna experience tour and decided I really wanted to do this instead of TWT, I called the above mentioned tour company that runs the tour, premier Alaska tours, the operator told me this is something to bring up the day arrive and meet my tour guide. I was surprised I said “I don’t have to book this well in advance because of limited space?” The operator said no. My tour guide was really good. He made calls to the right people to make the change and all the arrangements, charged my credit card, met me in the lobby, waited with me until the bus came to make sure I went on safe. Of course I had to tip him, he was such a nice guy. If you do decide to do this, just don’t tell anyone in your tour group lol, then more people will be asking the tour guide and you don’t want to put him through all that hasstle he doing for you lol.

Thank you! This is exactly what I was looking for!

 

 

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Hello,

Last summer I went on the 12 day denali\Aleyska cruisetour with NCL. Apart of me kind of regreted not choosing the 14 day authentic cruise tour, but I knew I would love Alaska so much I'll want to save more for next summer. And it turns out I am already booked on my second Alaska cruise for this coming summer 2018. Ya, Alaska is that amazing!

Some info I would like to share about my experience:

My first stop was in Anchorage and I stayed at the Sheraton. Very beautiful hotel. In Denali I stayed at the Denali Park Village which was my absolute favorite. If you end up at the Village you are going to love it! I actually cried on the last day, seriously. Cuz the scenery was so gorgeous on the balcony dock over looking the Nenana river and the mountains. I'm actually getting a little emotional right now thinking about it. I strong recommend you take in every second of this whole Alaska experience. Especially if it's your first time. Go on youtube and type in Denali Park Village so you can see for yourself and get an idea on what it's like.

So as a previous poster said, you really can't plan for optional tours because you don't get assigned your hotels up to 60 days in advance they say. I was notified on the hotels I stayed at 30 days in advance.

So the day when you arrive at your first hotel, there are tour guides greeting every family one by one who arrive and they give you a detailed itinerary of the whole Cruisetour, and discuss with you your optional tours, which you pay by credit card or Visa. I chose the white water rafting and it was incredible. Also, if you are able, I highly recommend you cancelling the Tundra Wilderness Tour and requesting to go on the Katishna Experience tour, with this tour you go all the way at the very end of the Denali park road. It is so extremely worth it and a highlight of my whole trip. The whole trip is 12 hours, but you get out for washroom breaks and look at the scenery every hour. And I must say the scenery is truly spectacular, the mountains, gorges, you've never seen anything like it. At one stop you get the best advantage point of the Denali Mountain (if you are lucky and there are no clouds) This look out point is called Eilson Visitors center, mile 66 into the park. and at the very end of the road (mile 92) you get out, you tour a Prospectors Cabin from the 1930's it's really cool.

The Kantishna was only like an extra 80 bucks, but soooo worth it. something to think about.

Also, the tour that will be operating the land tour portion you will be with is called Premier Alaska tours. www.premieralaskatours.com

I called them and the operators were super helpful and are really the only people you can talk to who can answer everything you want to know. Since they run the whole show.

Your guys are going to have an amazing time!

LOL at myself, I see you actually started the Roll Call :D (y)

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2536328&highlight=august+2018

 

That's the place to start looking for others for your flight seeing.

Ok thank you so much for your help

What ship? And what is the sail date? Need that info to find the roll call for you....

Golden Princess

Sail date is August 4 - 11, 2018

Check first on your roll call. If you don't get anyone there, then check on other roll calls for your date. If you need help finding your roll call, give us the ship name and date and someone will be able to help. (y)

Oh okay, thanks guys,

I’m actually doing an Alaskan Cruise tour with princess. I’m doing the SB8 connoisseur tour. I am doing the land portion first and staying at the princess riverside lodge in Fairbanks. I am landing in Fairbanks a day earlier so I can do this particular tour. The only tricky thing. Like I Stated, they require a minimum of 4 people for either tour

Hello,

I am a solo traveller, and will be in Fairbanks on July 26 2018. For July 27, I am on a wait list for the evening Anaktuvuk Pass flight tour with Northern Alaska Tour Company. Or their gates of the arctic circle/Anaktuvuk Pass all day tour. They require a 4 person minimum for these tours. So if anyone is interested in joining me for either one of these tours on July 27, 2018 please let me know

I have flown up there with Warbelows on their scheduled flights.

Oh I just looked into Warbelows. This sounds fantastic too. I just emailed them and asked if I can join their tour as a solo traveller.

Thanks Budget Queen. You’re the best!

Hi Budget Queen,

 

I am super thrilled to be going on my second Alaska Adventure next summer. Last summer’s trip was the best trip of my entire life. This time I’m going for a bit longer and covering new territory.

 

I emailed them and they said currently they have received no bookings for the two trips. They put me on their wait list for the full day Anaktuvuk Pass and their evening Anaktuvuk Pass trip. They will let me know when others book. I remembered you mentioned about the fly/drive tour. But I think I wanna save that for next time as I have heart set on seeing Anaktuvuk Pass :)

 

Thanks for the roll call tip

Are there any other vendors you can recommend me that also offers a trip to Anaktuvuk Pass and to the Eskimo Villiage?

I'd suggest, posting your date and also on your roll call. You might get lucky. They are going to fly with only 2 passengers? Or are there already others booked?

 

 

Alternatively, their fly/road Dalton Highway, Coldfoot round trip tour is excellent and probably runs daily.

Hi Budget Queen,

I am super thrilled to be going on my second Alaska Adventure next summer. Last summer’s trip was the best trip of my entire life. This time I’m going for a bit longer and covering new territory.

I emailed them and they said currently they have received no bookings for the two trips. They put me on their wait list for the full day Anaktuvuk Pass and their evening Anaktuvuk Pass trip. They will let me know when others book. I remembered you mentioned about the fly/drive tour. But I think I wanna save that for next time as I have heart set on seeing Anaktuvuk Pass :)

Thanks for the roll call tip

Hi there,

I am wondering who has done any of the flight tours with this company. I booked to stay at the princess Fairbanks wilderness lodge an extra day so I can do one of the arctic circle flights with this company. Since these tours sound far better and more exciting than what the princess excursion are offering. I am a solo traveller and have reserved the two Anaktuvuk Pass flight excursions. They can’t book me until other people book since they can’t book just one person. I really want to experience this so I am hoping other people will book on this particular date. Does anyone think that most likely they will get bookings?

Be sure and heed Maple Leaves warning about the bears near the resort. I have stayed at a relatives house about 2 blocks from there for years and have seen plenty of bears near. I think the salmon runs in the nearby Russian and Kenai rivers attract them. In 2006 I had an incident with a bear at the Russian and it was not fun!

Thank you very much for the warning. I am a solo traveller and never go anywhere alone